‘Introducing VVPAT in a major way is a huge challenge for us’

Herald: As the election dates are likely to be announced any time now, is the state poll panel office ready? 

CEO: Poll preparations are in full swing. It consists of material management, human resources collation, planning and the complete back up of the IT wing. All these areas have been sufficiently covered by us. All the officers, who will be on duty right from the time of announcement of elections, are being trained. We have already issued directions to all the HODs of various departments on the Election Commission guidelines.

Herald: Can you elaborate on the ECI directions or guidelines issued that has to be implemented once code of conduct is in force?

CEO: The first task would be to clear all political advertisements from public spaces and then our flying squads are being trained as per various directions issued by the commission. We have to ensure that there is no misuse of government vehicles or machinery by political parties or candidates for campaigning or any other purpose. We have decided to have 40 flying squads, one for each constituency. Slowly, we are trying to reach to response time within five minutes. For this purpose, we are trying to put more teams in place and have written to the district collectors to identify the personnel. 

Herald: There have often been allegations that certain members of the flying squad are inclined towards some or the other political parties or candidates. What precautions, CEO intends to take this time to ensure there is transparency and no favouritism or violation of law?

CEO: This time, the selection has been done keeping in mind the officers’ past record, political connections, postings, etc. Here we will give more importance to public complaints. Stern action would be initiated against the officers involved in such violation. The entire team has to work in an impartial manner. Also for the very first time, we are introducing GSP, through which we will have live monitor of the movement of the flying squad. All the activities would be live monitored. Also we are ensuring that there is maximum central government officers part of this squad. 

Herald: For the first time, ECI is introducing VVPAT system along with EVMs for this general elections. What was the need felt? 

CEO: This is basically an unique initiative of the ECI, that they were mandated to provide a feedback to the voters. With the present EVMs, when you vote, only a light blinks. There were also orders from the Supreme Court that some kind of feedback system has to be devised. So, following several trial and error methods and with the experts’ assistance from the technical empowered committee, this machine was design. The system was earlier tried and tested during various elections in different parts of the country but at very micro level. Hence, this time the ECI decided to roll it out on a larger scale. It is a big challenge for us. We have a huge task on hand to train our officials and the voters in this regard. 

HERALD: The ECI has proposed some IT enabled services for this elections. Can you explain what these are?

CEO: There are two major IT services for public and the candidates. One is SAMADHAN — in which grievance of the citizens would be handled within 24 hours. And the other one is SUVIDHA — it is basically for political parties or candidates, whose request for various permissions like to hold rallies, meetings, would be cleared within 24 hours. 

HERALD: Total number of officers and security forces that would be deployed?

CEO: We have over 11.04 lakh registered voters. In Goa we have a total of 1,642 polling stations. Each polling station will have seven officers on duty which will include the presiding and polling officers, BLO and VVPAT handler. Also we will have 170 sector officers. A Total of 14,000 officers would be on duty, roughly. Apart from these, we will have 3000 Goa police personnel, home guards and additional Central forces. We have asked for 52 companies. 

HERALD: What is the total voter turnout you are expecting this year considering the fact that in 2012 it had crossed 80 percent? 

CEO: ECI has asked us to achieve a target as close as 90 percent and I definitely feel that the kind of participation we are witnessing in our awareness campaign, we should be able to touch that figure. In 2012, it had touched 83 percent and hence, this time it has to be close to 90 percent. People here are very much aware about their political and democratic rights. We are also putting a lot of emphasis on postal ballot for the service voters as well as for those who are on duty. This will roughly comrise about 15,000 voters. Also, we have around 35 registered as oversees electors. They have to visit the polling stations to cast their votes. So far, there is no facility for postal ballot for them.